Enemies and Friends of the State

Within the world of the Bible, prophets and prophetesses were sometimes ardent proponents of royal and priestly rhetoric and deeds, but they could also be vocal critics, speaking truth to power. Enemies and Friends of the State plumbs the depths of the prophetic voices of the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament Apocrypha, and the Greek New Testament, with more than twenty-five of the most distinguished scholars in the field of biblical studies contributing articles. The volume also includes articles on prophecy in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Syria, and Transjordan. In addition, articles at the beginning of the volume on the nature of the state and of prophecy provide a context for the discussion of prophecy both inside and outside ancient Israel, and a concluding essay discusses the views of Josephus and the Rabbis on prophecy. Because of the breadth and depth of this volume, Enemies and Friends of the State is certain to be the standard treatment of this subject for a generation.

“A solid exploration of the prophetic phenomenon and many chapters therein deserve to be at the forefront of the discussion as to the role of prophets vis-à-vis the state.”—Kurtis Peters, Reviews of Biblical and Early Christian Studies

“Altogether this volume is a treasure trove of information, analyses, and perspectives that will serve an academic reading audience as well as general readers seeking to understand the nature of prophecy in the ancient world.”—Marvin A. Sweeney, Biblical Archaeology Review Magazine

“Enemies and Friends of the State is the best collection of essays on the subject I’m aware of and provides penetrating analysis regarding these political and social dimensions to the world of the Hebrew Bible and the Israelites.”—Jamin Andreas Hübner, Canadian-American Theological Review

Christopher Rollston holds the MA and Ph.D. degrees from the Johns Hopkins University, Department of Near Eastern Studies. He has published widely in the field of ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, Phoenician, and Greek inscriptions as well as in the field of Biblical Studies. He is the editor of the journal MAARAV and the coeditor (with Eric H. Cline) of the Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and is currently Professor of Northwest Semitic Languages and Literatures at George Washington University, department of Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations.

Part 1: Setting the Stage

Defining the State (pp. 3-23). Alexander H. Joffe.

The Politics of Voice: Reflections on Prophetic Speech as Voices from the Margins (pp. 25-56). Miriam Y. Perkins

Part 2: The Ancient Near East

A Land without Prophets? Examining the Presumed Lack of Prophecy in Ancient Egypt (pp. 59-86). Thomas Schneider.

A Royal Advisory Service: Prophecy and the State in Mesopotamia (pp. 87-114). Jonathan Stökl.

Prophecy in Syria: Zakkur of Hamath and Luʿash (pp. 115-134). Hélène Sader.

Prophecy in Transjordan: Balaam Son of Beor (pp. 135-196). Joel S. Burnett.

Part 3: Prophets in the Deuteronomistic History and the Chronicler

Prophets in the Early Monarchy (pp. 207-217). William M. Schniedewind.

Friends or Foes? Elijah and Other Prophets in the Deuteronomistic History (pp. 219-256). Gary N. Knoppers and Eric L. Welch

Unnamed Prophets in the Deuteronomistic History (pp. 257-275). Jason Bembry.

The Prophet Huldah and the Stuff of State (pp. 277-296). Francesca Stavrakopoulou.

Prophets in the Chronicler: The Books of 1 and 2 Chronicles and Ezra–Nehemiah (pp. 297-310). Lester L. Grabbe.

Part 4: Prophets in the Prophetic Books of the First Temple and Exilic Periods

Prophecy and the State in 8th-Century Israel: Amos and Hosea (pp. 313-328). Robert R. Wilson.

Enemies and Friends of the State: First Isaiah and Micah (pp. 329-338). J. J. M. Roberts.

Jeremiah as State-Enemy of Judah: Critical Moments in the Biblical Narratives about the “Weeping Prophet” (pp. 339-358). Christopher A. Rollston.

Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (pp. 359-383). C. L. Crouch.

Obadiah: Judah and Its Frenemy (pp. 385-394). Alejandro F. Botta and Mónica I. Rey.

The Prophet Ezekiel: State Priest, State Enemy (pp. 395-410). Stephen L. Cook.

YHWH’s Cosmic Estate: Politics in Second Isaiah (411-430). Mark W. Hamilton.

Part 5: Prophets and Patriots of the Second Temple Period and Early Postbiblical Period

Haggai and Zechariah: A Maximalist View of the Return in a Minimalist Social Context (pp. 433-448). Eric M. Meyers.

Apocalyptic Resistance in the Visions of Daniel (pp. 449-462). John J. Collins.

References to the Prophets in the Old Testament Apocrypha (pp. 463-485). Robert J. Owens.

Prophets, Kittim, and Divine Communication in the Dead Sea Scrolls: Condemning the Enemy Without, Fighting the Enemy Within (pp. 487-512). James E. Bowley.

John the Baptizer: More Than a Prophet (pp. 513-523). James D. Tabor.

Jesus of Nazareth: Prophet of Renewal and Resistance (pp. 525-544). Richard A. Horsley.

Late First-Century Christian Apocalyptic: Revelation (pp. 545-564). Jennifer Knust.

Oracles on Accommodation versus Confrontation: The View from Josephus and the Rabbis (pp. 565-581). Andrew D. Gross.

Index of Authors (pp. 583-591).

Index of Scripture (pp. 592-613).